Recommended Pediatric Equpment for Certified EMS Response Vehicles

EMS providers care for patients of all ages, who present with a wide variety of illnesses or injuries. In 2008, 10.6% of all EMS responses in New York State were for pediatric patients (9.2% US). In an effort to better care for pediatric patients, the federal Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Stakeholder Group, in collaboration with the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS-COT), American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP) developed a list of standardized equipment for ambulances. All four organizations adhere to the principle that Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers at all levels must have the appropriate equipment and supplies to optimize prehospital delivery of care.

This 2005 national Equipment for Ambulances has been approved and endorsed by New York State EMS Council (SEMSCO), State Emergency Medical Advisory Committee (SEMAC) and the EMS for Children Advisory Committee (EMSCAC) for certified EMS agencies in New York.

The national Equipment for Ambulances also includes resources needed on ambulances appropriate for homeland security. The document was written to serve as a standard for the equipment needs of emergency ambulance services both in the United States and Canada.

Below is a chart of pediatric BLS items required in New York State Part 800 regulations and also includes the national Ambulance Equipment recommendations. You will notice adult sized equipment is included with pediatric sizes as many children are the size of small adults. While the regulations are being reviewed and amended, the additional recommended equipment to current Part 800 regulations are the shaded items. New York State does not regulate ALS equipment at a statewide level. However, the SEMSCO and SEMAC recommend Regional Medical Advisory Committees (REMAC) should consult the national Equipment List when updating the regional ALS equipment requirements.

BLS Equipment

Number Pieces of Equipment

Suction catheters

Rigid tonsil tip

2

Flexible between 6-10 french

2 each

*FLexible between 12-16 french

1

Oxygen delivery

Nasal cannula- Adult

4

Nasal cannula- Child

2

Non-rebreather masks- Adult

4

Non-rebreather masks- Child

2

Bag valve mask

Hand operated self-expanding bags child 450-750 ml

1

Hand operated self-expanding bags adult greater than 1000 ml

1

Masks for BVM

Adult

1

Child

1

Infant

1

*Neonate

1

Airways

*Nasal Airways 1 size between 16-24 fr

1

*Nasal Airways 1 size between 26-34 fr

1

Oral airways size 0-1

2

Oral airways size 2-3

2

Oral airways size 4-5

4

*Pulse oximeter

1

*with pediatric probe

1

*with adult probe

1

*AED that includes pediatric capability

1

*adult pads

1

*child pads

1

Immobilization devices

Rigid cervical collar - small

1

Rigid cervical collar - medium

1

Rigid cervical collar - large

1

Lower extremity traction - adult

1

*Lower extremity traction - child

1

Extremity immobilization small

1

Extremity immobilization - medium

2

Extremity immobilization - large

2

OB Kit (Commercial or locally packed)

1

Receiving blanket

1

*Head cover

1

Bulb Suction for Infants

1

Sphygmomanometer

adult cuff

1

pediatric cuff

1

*Length weight based tape or appropriate reference material for pediatric equipment sizing and drug dosing based on estimated or known weight

1

‡ * indicates not yet required by Part 800 but recommended/endorsed by New York State SEMSCO, SEMAC, and EMSCAC per the National Equipment for Ambulances.